Whistleblowers Are Protected Under the Law!

You’ve suspected for a while that your employer at the construction site in downtown Atlanta was cutting some corners. The project is behind schedule and pressure is mounting on the company to get the building up to avoid penalties as specified in the terms of the original contract. To move things along more quickly, your employer brought in some new, more powerful equipment.

However, when several of your coworkers were forced to use this equipment, they were seriously injured. Your employer did not take sufficient time to provide them with training on how to use the tools safely. Even though you were afraid of being fired, you decided to report the company for safety violations.

The Georgia Department of Labor (DOL) enforces the U.S. Department of Labor whistleblower and retaliation protections that… prohibit covered employers from discharging or otherwise discriminating against any employee because the employee engaged in certain activities protected by law. These activities include:

• Beginning a proceeding under the whistleblower provisions of the 17 statutes administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Testifying as part of a proceeding
• Aiding or taking part in a proceeding or in any other action to accomplish the purposes of the 17 statutes
• Complaining about an infringement

To protect your rights under the U.S. Department of Labor provisions, consult a Georgia labor and employment attorney who is knowledgeable in the specifics of whistleblower litigation. Your employer cannot discriminate against you just because you told the truth.